Giving Women Voice in Local Governance Structures - ADB Experiences

The brief demonstrates how ADB has utilized different strategies through its lending and technical assistance programs and projects to support and build the the capacity of locally elected women to facilitate their improved and more effective participation in local governance structures.

The brief demonstrates how ADB has utilized different strategies through its lending and technical assistance programs and projects to support and build the the capacity of locally elected women to facilitate their improved and more effective participation in local governance structures. In some countries, female "reservation quotas" have led to an increasing number of women representatives in local governance structures. This has been an important first step in engendering local politics and giving women "voice" in local decision-making. But, mere presence is insufficient. Women require capacity development, leadership skills and strategic support to help them carry out their new roles and responsibilities. Examples of ADB experiences from Bangladesh, Cambodia and Nepal are presented together with lessons learned.

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